After Dinner SpeakersTom Allen is a comedian, writer and actor.
In 2019, Tom replaced Rhod Gilbert as the host of BBC 2’s The Apprentice: You’re Fired!
Starting his stand-up career in 2005, Allen won the comedy newcomer award, So You Think You’re Funny and the BBC New Comedy Award.
Tom has honed his unique style of sharp, acerbic wit and camp, riotous storytelling by performing to audiences around the world.
In 2016, he supported Sarah Millican on her sold-out tour of Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He has also supported Josh Widdicombe, Romesh Ranganathan and Michael McIntyre.
A regular for over a decade at the Edinburgh Festival, Tom’s show Absolutely, sold out every night with extra dates added. Absolutely, which he has since taken on tour, received critical acclaim and sold-out to audiences all over the country. Tom added an extra 150 dates to the tour including twenty-nights at London’s Soho Theatre.
Outside of the UK, Tom has performed at Montreal’s Just For Laughs as well as the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne Comedy Festivals and has supported Reggie Watts and Eugene Mirman in the US.
Tom is also the co-host of the hugely popular podcast Like Minded Friends which he records with his friend Suzi Ruffell.
In 2018, Tom joined Jo Brand on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice as a regular presenter.
A regular on TV and radio, Tom Allen has appeared on shows including:
- Mock The Week
- Live At The Apollo
- ITV’s Royal Variety Performance
- 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
- 8 Out Of 10 Cats
- Comedy Central’s Roast Battle
- Loose Ends
- Just a Minute
- Sky’s A League of Their Own
- The John Bishop Show
He has written articles for The Scotsman, The Independent, The Lady and The Guardian and contributed material to The Now Show and Mock the Week.
As an actor, Tom Allen has starred in BBC Radio 4’s Sony Award-winning Bleak Expectations, Comedy Central’s Threesome, BBC’s Sensitive Skin with Joanna Lumley and Fear of Fanny with Mark Gatiss and Julia Davis. Films include Colour Me Kubrick with John Malkovich, Starter for Ten with James McEvoy and Tamara Drewe.
As a teenager, he was the youngest member of the Noel Coward Society.
An experienced corporate performer, Tom Allen has presented after-dinner comedy sets and hosted awards for a varied selection of clients.
